Monday, 28 July 2008

Prince Charles is to be patron of the biggest clan gathering in Edinburgh for almost 190 years.

More than 8,000 clansmen and clanswomen from around the globe will come together in Edinburgh for The Gathering in the Holyrood Park in July 2009.

It will be the first time since Sir Walter Scott's Royal Pageant in 1822 that so many clans have assembled in the city.

The event will be held as part of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations.

The programme will feature the 2009 World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship and an International Gathering of Scottish Clans and Families.

A parade of the clans up the Royal Mile will culminate in a spectacular pageant on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.

There will also be a strong focus on traditional Highland Games, with solo piping and Highland dancing competitions, and there will be opportunities for people to research clan histories and genealogy.

Wednesday, 23 July 2008

HUNTLY AND DISTRICT PIPE BAND 60th ANNIVERSARY reminds those in Aberdeenshire and beyond the great debt we all owe to the Gordon Highlanders who have helped to preserve our way of life for many years. The brave and courageous Gordon Highlanders who lost 2,500 comrade's in Burma. The proud company who have won many VC's throughout the world.Huntly and District Pipe Band formed in 1948 on the return home after the Second World War of the Gordon Highlanders.The existing Pipe Band has two uniforms, namely a number one ceremonial dress used for special occasions such as Armistice Parades and at the Lonach Gathering ( view graphic ) and the regularly worn number two outfit.The Huntly and District Pipe Band has a very strong and supportive following who play a big part in Local Huntly and District social events, and when you hear their stirring music it fills the breast with Scottish pride.Thank you to Huntly WatsOn for this information.For those visiting or returning home to Scotland for the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations will already know the warm welcome awaits you in the Huntly and District area of Aberdeenshire.Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

Tuesday, 8 July 2008

Golf visitors from all over the world flock to Scotland every year for the outstanding golf courses of which we have an abundance. Scotland loves golf so much we have for example ten within the bounderies of Aberdeen city limits.Auchmill, Balnagask, Craibstone Golf Centre, Deeside, Hazelhead Public, Kings Links, Murcar, Royal Aberdeen, Westhill, Peterculter...to name but some!We travel about one hour North from Aberdeen to the stunning and beautifully maintained Cullen Links course which uses different levels with challenging holes at unbelievable heights. The graphic above from my private collection shows a path to the right to the third hole which the player has to traverse from way below from the second. Golfers new and seasoned love Cullen Golf course with the unusual play and spectacular scenery this has got to be one of the most unforgetful game play courses in Scotland.Our advice to those traveling to Scotland for the Homecoming Scotland 2009 is pencil this in for future play, the memory will stay with you for ever.

Monday, 7 July 2008

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009 promises to be that special year in Scotland so we are starting snippets on the Scotland Homecoming information facts about Scotland. Some you will know but other will surprise.

Bonnie Dundee may refer to the city of Dundee but the name was used to describe; John Graham of Claverhouse who was Viscount Dundee.

Aberdeenshire is where you will find Castle of Fedderate.

The poet William McGonagall was born in Edinburgh in 1830.

David Livingston discovered Victoria Falls.

James Young developed the process of refining oil.

At Prestwick in 1860 Tom Morris won the first Open Golf Championships.

If your Clan has confirmed their presence at this event but is not listed above, please reply on this Blogger and once we have confirmed they are indeed joining the celebrations we will add your clan name to this growing list?

Saturday, 5 July 2008

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009 EUROPEAN VACATIONS HOTSPOTS is CULLEN and it is just one of our Homecoming Scotland blogs suggested places to pencil into your vacation and holiday diary.Cullen is on the North East Coast of Scotland with stunning views with picture postcard scenery.Click on the above graphic for a closer view of SEATOWN which as the name suggests was originally fishermens houses with all painted by bright and different colours so that they stood out from each other and the returning fishermen could spot their wives on their return from fishing spells away from home.At the top of the picture you will see the stretch of land which takes in the named "Three Kings" and also "Scaur Nose".The bay in the graphic comes off the Moray Firth and is called Cullen Bay which is famous for the protected Bottlenose Dolphins.The Viaduct was built 1886 by the then named GNSR and this Scottish Railways company ran their railway for many years over the Viaduct which must have been very noisy to those living underneath it and around it. The railway is no longer but the Viaduct is a well known local walkway where many tourists and visitors can record some breathtaking photographs.Cullen is just one of many such beautiful picturesque villages and small towns along the North East of Scotland and ideal for visitors coming for the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations.Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

Friday, 4 July 2008

ROSSLYN CHAPEL MYSTERIES and myths have fed the imagination of writers and film directors worldwide for some years now.Rosslyn again made headlines in a recent book (DA VINCI CODE) and film and the mystery of this beautiful and ancient building takes centre stage once again.Homecoming Scotland 2009 is an excellent excuse to visit Rosslyn Chapel to view the ancient architecture and the amazing carvings. The work involved in building the Chapel becomes apparent on first viewing Rosslyn on approach.Rosslyn Chapel is situated in Roslin Village which is 3 miles from Penicuik(Peebles) and has many strong ties to Masonic Orders.The 2008 time schedule;The Chapel is open:

On Robert Burns first vist to Rosslyn Chapel he ate at the local Inn.Robbie scribed a poem to the Inn Keeper Annie Wilson on a pewter plate which read;

Robert BurnsMy Blessings on you sonsie wife!I ne'er was here before;You've gi'en us walth for horn and Knife,Nae heart could wish for more.

Heaven keep you free from care and strife,Til far ayont fourscore;And while I toddle on through life,I'll ne'er gang by your door.***As you may read he was very appreciative of the food and refreshments;but if you are still unsure; here is how this Scotsman reads it;*****My blessings on you sonsie (pretty) wife!I ne'er (never) was here before;You've gi'en (given) us walth ( abundance of good food) for horn (plate) and Knife,Nae (no) heart could wish for more.

Heaven God bless) keep you free from care (no worries) and strife, (trouble)Til far ayont fourscore (till your age is far beyond 80);And while I toddle ( walk on) on through life,I'll ne'er (never) gang (go) by (past) your door.(this last line means he will always visit if in the vicinity)

Don't forget to put Mauchline in you diary when you visit on Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations year and follow the Burns trail.Is it news to you ? then you read it here first!

Homecoming Scotland 2014 logo

Homecoming Scotland 2014 runs from 31/12/2013 through to 31/12/2014

Homecoming Scotland 2014 - ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOME

ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOME
First Minister, Alex Salmond celebrates Scotland at launch of ‘exceptional’ Homecoming 2014 programme
An all-star concert to herald the opening of the Ryder Cup, a huge flotilla to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge, Europe’s biggest brass band festival and a thrilling re-enactment of the Battle of Bannockburn are just some of the spectacular events that will form Scotland’s 2014 Year of Homecoming, it was announced today.
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond officially unveiled the first phase of the year-long programme of events at Hopetoun House, near South Queensferry, alongside Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland.
VisitScotland and EventScotland are working in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver Homecoming 2014 - an opportunity for communities nationally and internationally to explore Scotland and celebrate the very best of Scottish culture.
Around 100 events were unveiled at the launch, with hundreds more expected to be unveiled over the next few months. This includes many new events, established events which will have a new homecoming element for 2014 and those that have joined through the partner programme to benefit from in-kind marketing. The five themes for Homecoming 2014 - active, food and drink, creative, natural and ancestry are all represented.
Brand new events include the John Muir Festival in East Lothian to herald the opening of the John Muir coast to coast route, the Forth Bridges Festival to mark its 50th anniversary, a spectacular Ryder Cup Opening Concert, the Findhorn Bay Arts Festival in Moray, the World Sheepdog Trials in Tain and the European Festival of Brass based in Perthshire.
Many existing events, including Hogmanay, Edinburgh Festivals, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, the Edinburgh Mela Festival, the Royal National MOD, the Turriff Show, the East Neuk Festival, the Outdoor Orkney Festival and Tweedlove Bike Festival will receive funding for new and exciting Homecoming additions to their planned programmes for 2014.
With around 50 million people around the world claiming Scottish heritage, diaspora and clan-related events form a key part of Homecoming. These include around 30 events, including the celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, the Aboyne Highland Games, the Inverness Highland Meeting 2014, the 10th Clan Munro International Gathering, the Dunfermline Bruce Festival and Piping Live!.
An events fund of £3m will provide a stunning all-year-round programme of activity to complement the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games and it will be backed by a £1.75m marketing campaign by VisitScotland which will promote Homecoming 2014 at home and abroad.

Visit Scotland Contact Centre have set up two "Hotline", telephone numbers for booking accommodation for overseas visitors and U.K. based residents.The Visit Scotland Contact Centre telephone numbers have been set-up especially for Homecoming Scotland 2009 overseas visitors and U.K. residents. These numbers are also for every day tourists to our beautiful Scotland wishing to find the best holiday accommodation guided by the Visit Scotland reputation.The telephone numbers will inform the enquirer about all types of accommodation including costs, and can give general information on all aspects of anything Scottish.Overseas visitors please telephone;0044 1506 832121 which is a direct line.U.K. residents please telephone local rate;0845 2255121http://www.visitscotland.comFor more general information to Homecoming Scotland events;http://www.homecomingscotland2009blog.com/HOMECOMING_SCOTLAND_2009_EVENTS_PROGRAMME.htmPLEASE NOTE THERE IS A TRAVEL PLANNER FOR LOCAL SCOTTISH TRANSPORT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.